Cartels threaten tourism in Cancun, locals fear same fate as Acapulco

This post was updated on .

I want to include this great article with video that is on the main board.
Thanks El Profe and Chivis
Video: Cartels threaten tourism in Cancun, locals fear same fate as Acapulco
Cancun, known as the safest place to visit in Mexico, saw at least 205 people murdered in 2017—more than double from the year before. With continuing extortion of businesses, locals fear it could go the way of Acapulco: a city once equated with glamorous beach getaways for celebrities that has for years possessed the nefarious title of the most murderous city in Mexico. (In the first six months of 2017 alone, statistics range from 412 to 466 murders in Acapulco.)
Government-tracking hackers hide out in the woods to keep surveillance on what they see as government collusion with cartels. This is just one of the ways in which people are trying to put an end to this devolution of Cancun before it truly starts.
The group was formed by Carlos Mimenza, a real estate developer recently turned 21st-century vigilante leader, in the Mayan Riviera tourist city of Playa Del Carmen, about an hour's drive from Cancun in the state of Quintana Roo.
He started the group after "thieves held a gun to his sister’s head" and stole $46,000 USD from his safe. He offers free iPhones to those who record corruption on camera and is keeping the current Governor of Cancun, Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez, and other officials, under ''24-hour surveillance."
He views the issues facing Cancun as “a problem that the government itself has permitted, and the same government is the only one that can resolve it.” It is through this surveillance that he seeks to hold them accountable.
Mimenza is concerned for his city and rightly so, as "the state of Quintana Roo gets 10 million tourists a year, a third of the national total." However, sales in some of the major stores on Cancun's main boulevard are declining and a major nightclub in Playa del Carmen has been closed for good since five people were shot during a music festival.
A former Cancun policemen, interviewed under anonymity for PBS News Hour states, "that it's practically impossible to be an honest policemen [in Cancun]" and the police are told to "ignore all evidence."
He goes on to say, "the criminals insure that the police cannot behave professionally. The police officers who don't respond to the criminals' demands are laid off. The police make a deal with the criminals that insures disobedient officers will be fired."
The toxic combination of intensifying drug wars with what locals see as government impunity has created this spike in murder rates in the resort cities of Cancun and Playa Del Carmen.
Once thought to be a safe spot amidst Mexico's violence, business owners and developers now are having to decide whether to pay extortion money to the cartels or create ways to address the violence themselves.
The video below is the news program Unreported World, produced by Quicksilver Media Productions. During the segment, the crew travels to the white sand beaches of Cancun where a hushed-up murder, unnoticed by passersby, has just taken place.
A local business owner and land developer, Hernán Cordero, is interviewed. He says that the Zetas try to extort him and that ''he hasn't paid but many others do.'' Cordero laments, ''Acapulco had the same problem a few years ago and it wasn't stopped." He adds that "[Cancun] could turn into another ghost town, just like Acapulco."
The reporter then travels to Acapulco and on the way from the airport, receives word of a homicide in the surrounding area of the city. They investigate and afterwards, visit the once luxurious Hotel Mirador.
This hotel was once famous for visitors packing its rooms, wanting a view of the famous cliff divers plunging into the blue Pacific from the rocks a hundred feet above. It is now host to an abandoned terrace with empty seats overlooking ''one of the most beautiful views in the world'' and the highest homicide rate in the country.
The parallels drawn between these two beach cities is an alarming glimpse into how a booming tourism industry can be easily dissolved by extortion and murder, hastened by government impunity.
The video is an excellent on the ground reporting from Cancun and Acapulco. It is a must see to get an up close and personal view of what is happening. In one vignette, a Taxi driver is executed. His family comes to the site of the shooting, his wife screams at the sight of her husband’s corpse. The sister in law approaches the journalist and angrily tells him they want everyone to know what is occurring. That not only do taxi drivers have to pay piso, they are ordered to collect piso.
To refuse, means death.

The most dangerous drug trafficker in the Mexican Caribbean

The most dangerous drug trafficker in the Mexican CaribbeanEl Universal

Last July, in the city of Cancún, it was reported through the police frequency that the assailants of a pizzeria had 􀂢ed in a black RAM truck,
without license plates.

The state police detected a vehicle with these characteristics outside a refaccionaria. When approaching, the agents saw that the crew had long and short weapons. They submitted them. In the vehicle there was drug and radio tracer.

The detainees were transferred to the sub-delegation of the PGR. In that place it was discovered that among them was José Rafael ZocsiRodríguez, El Dober, eldest son of Leticia Rodríguez Lara, known as Doña Lety or La 40, "the most dangerous drug tra􀂣cker in the Mexican Caribbean".

At least since 2012, when she was supported by operative cells of the Sinaloa Cartel, she was able to banish Los Zetas from Cancun. Doña Lety controlled the sale of drugs in the Riviera Maya. According to federal authorities, he had managed to place his sellers in all the dens of Cancun. Also charged a percentage of up to 50% for each bracelet (national or international free bar) purchased by customers.

During the government of PRI Roberto Borge Angulo, Mrs. Lety established her power through the purchase of high level o􀂣cials of the attorney general's o􀂣ce, and through the systematic payment to state, municipal and federal agents. Ms. Lety had been a federal judicial police in Sonora: she was discharged when the federal courtroom gave way to the emergence of the AFI.

He reappeared in Cancun years later tra􀂣cking small amounts of cocaine brought from Belize. His relationship with the former ministerial agent Ángel Fernando Tapia Chávez, El Tijeras, former chief of escorts for the attorney general, Gaspar Armando García Torres, allowed him to count on the absolute support of the police forces that operate in the region. The 40 was aware of checkpoints, operatives, searches.

With that support he managed to face Los Zetas, crush the Gulf Cartel and become the absolute owner of the Riviera Maya.

Since her appearance as drug lord there were 326 executions in the state. Doña Lety went to war with the criminal group known as Los Pelones, remnant of the Cartel of the Beltrán Leyva, and tried to stop the incursion of the most powerful criminal organization of the
sexennium: the Jalisco Cartel Nueva Generación.

According to the federal government, he had at his disposal cells of assassins sent by the Sinaloa Cartel: he had managed to design a route that led drug shipments arriving from South America to the states of Sonora and Sinaloa.

The detention of his son, sent to Cefereso de Perote, infested with Zetas and Golfos, took her off balance. Doña Lety moved so that El Dober was transferred to a prison in Mexico City.
By then, the Federal Police was following in his footsteps. La 40 traveled to the capital of the country accompanied by El Tijeras - who had become his chief hitman. He held meetings with lawyers and other characters that are currently under investigation.

He decided to return to Cancun by land and took the highway to Veracruz. A van was serving as a tip. Two others, from a distance, covered the rear.

The Federal Police and the Secretary of the Navy were waiting for it in a 􀂡lter mounted in the Amozoc booth. He tried to identify himself with a false credential. He had a gun in his bag. His chief hitman carried another, and brought methamphetamines in a suitcase.

Dona Lety told the commander of the Federal:
-Do you know who I am? So what are you doing to the asshole? I bring 5 million dollars right now. You love them?

They ordered him to keep silent and lower his head.
The woman had taken Quintana Roo to a historical spiral of violence. But that was nothing compared to what happened after his arrest, which occurred on 10 August.

The Jalisco Cartel began the persecution of Doña Lety's cells, the killing of vendors, hawks and hit men of the Sinaloa Cartel. The 􀂡lm that we have already seen, that we have seen everywhere, and that was shown again in the Riviera Maya: 326 executions in the year that has just ended.

Cancun Beaches With Legal Weed Is New Idea for Stemming Violence

Cancun Beaches With Legal Weed Is New Idea for Stemming ViolenceBloomberg

Partying in some of Mexico’s top beach destinations could get a boost -- and possibly turn a bit more mellow -- as officials mull the idea of legalizing marijuana in hot spots like Cancun and Los Cabos.

Tourism Minister Enrique de la Madrid, generally considered a fairly buttoned-up guy, said at an event Thursday that making sales and consumption legal could help curb the drug-related violence that’s plagued both locations and led to a temporary drop in visitors. Tourism brings $20 billion a year into Mexico, making it among the top three sources of foreign currency.

Tourists “already bring it or buy it,” he said, according to a report in the newspaper Milenio. “What can’t be justified is that someone ends up in jail because he consumes marijuana. What is not justified is that he becomes the victim of extortion because he consumes marijuana. It is an absurdity.”

For now, De la Madrid’s proposal seems like nothing more than that -- there’s no legislation pending and President Enrique Pena Nieto seems unlikely to push for it before elections in July. The ministry’s press office didn’t respond to phone calls seeking comment.

But it speaks to the dilemma officials face as they try to crack down on gangs operating in the tourist hot spots, with gun battles not only scaring away visitors but also causing more violence when the takeout of one drug dealer spurs competition for his former territory. As shootouts in nightclubs increase, and mutilated bodies turn up on the streets, the U.S. State Department now tells visitors to Cancun and Los Cabos to “exercise increased caution.”

Last year, hotel occupancy in Cancun dropped 10 percent during the traditionally busy spring-break period while Los Cabos also saw a decline in bookings. The slump seems an anomaly given global growth in tourism and a relatively weak peso that would normally draw in more visitors.

“At least in the tourist areas, we should legalize the use of marijuana,” De la Madrid said, according to Milenio. “Making legal not only the consumption but also the production and sale of marijuana would contribute, along with other actions, to having safer destinations.”

Re: Current Events in the Cancun Area

I think that's a great idea Mica,a home for a Cancun area blog here!We already have 1 for Jalisco that Char started and keeps adding to it and the Gulf Cartel 1 and looks like 1 for Nayarit by you.I also think 1 of us could start 1 for Baja although I'm thinking Norte and Sur should probably be separated as Norte is more driving there and Sur is flying in but the 2 are rarely combined.

2 EXECUTED AND BAGS WITH HUMAN REMAINS IN CANCUN

Cancún dawned on Tuesday with two new alleged cases of executions that are being investigated by the authorities of the State Attorney General.

In a first report, a corpse of an executed person was found in an area of ​​the Avante colony near Lopez Portillo Avenue, with signs of having remained tied up.

Later, in Colonia Nuevo Milenio colony, in Block 1, Lot 1, on a main avenue about 400 meters from Lopez Portillo Avenue, the finding of remains of a dismembered person was reported.

In both cases, the crime scenes were cordoned off and the experts are gathering the evidence of the case to transfer the bodies to the facilities of the Forensic Medical Service.

Unofficially, it was reported that the case of the dismemberment of the Nuevo Milenio colony is related to the finding yesterday of a human head left in the parking lot of the Aurrerá supermarket on Avenida Portillo, so it would not be a new execution.

Until last night, the number of executions in Cancun rose to 34 cases only during the month of January. With the case of the Avante colony, the number of violent crimes would rise to 35. If it is confirmed that the dismemberment of the New Millennium colony is a new murder, there would be 36 murders so far in 2018.

Re: Current Events in the Cancun Area

CANCUN - Two executed in Cancun, one of them a federal police officer, and the violent assault on a Cozumel butcher shop, was the result of violent acts yesterday in Quintana Roo.

The person who appeared executed yesterday in the 204 Region of Cancun, was identified as Hugo Rafael Peña, 27 years old, and was an agent of the Federal Police.

The victim was part of the anti-drug division and was finalized on 20th Avenue, in the Cuna Maya division.

In the area, there were 11 9 mm caliber percussion shells, from the Águila brand, and LFG Luger.

The subject was found wrapped with his hands in front and on his head was a brown plastic tape.

It was reported that his companions had ceased communication with the officer since nightfall.

In the afternoon, a man who was inside a computer business on Miguel Hidalgo Avenue, on Route 5, in Region 92, was executed with bullets.

There were no detainees and the victim was not identified.

In Cozumel, two people, on motorcycles and using firearms, assaulted a butcher shop.

It is presumed that the employees of a business of the brand "Maxicarne", located on the 90th avenue with 11, tried to oppose the theft, so the two individuals fired into the air to intimidate them and take the money from sales.

An employee was taken to the hospital on the island because she suffered a nervous breakdown. The amount of the assault is unknown.- SIM and Noticaribe Agency

Two men arrested in Cancun related to 37 area killings

Cancun, Q.R. — Two people have been arrested in Cancun that authorities say are likely related to at least 37 executions that have occurred already this year.

During a press conference held in Mexico City by the National Security Commissioner, Renato Sales Heredia reported that as part of the first results of Operation Titan Shield that was deployed in areas with the highest incidence of crime in the country, they have arrested a total of four men labeled as dangerous criminals.

The two Cancun arrests are being credited to the intelligence work of the federal police that arrived in the city in an attempt to stop the wave of organized crime. A total of 5,000 federal personnel were deployed to high risk cities around Mexico. Cancun was one of those cities.

The deployment has finally yielded its first fruit with the arrest of two people that authorities say are related to 37 deaths between Cancun and Puerto Morelos this year, as well as drug distribution.

Alejandro “N” and Pablo “N”, were arrested February 10, the same day that an officer of the Federal Police that performed intelligence work in Cancun was killed.

Policeman shot, killed outside school while picking up children

Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — An off-duty police officer was shot and killed outside a school in Playa del Carmen Thursday when he arrived to pick up one of his children.

An agent of the Municipal Preventive Police was executed outside a primary school in the Ejidal neighborhood after arriving on a moto with one child to pick up his other.

The shooting occurred outside the Adolfo Cisneros Cámara school where 911 emergency personnel responded to the call.

According to preliminary information, the deceased policeman was identified as Mario N, who reports say came to the campus accompanied by one of his children to pick up his other son. As he was about to get on his motorcycle, two subjects approached him and fired four times, twice in the air and twice toward the policeman.

When the agent fell, the assailants fled on 8th Street and 80th Avenue aboard a gray vehicle. Agents of the Municipal Preventive Police surrounded the area while the deceased agent’s children were returned to the school.

There have been unverified reports that some members of the municipal police received threats after the February 20 arrest of a Los Pelones gang leader near the Municipal Palace.

The municipal government of Solidarity says that in coordination with the state police, they have activated all security protocols to find those responsible for the crime.

NARCOMESSAGE IN THE 102 REGION OF CANCUN

The morning of Thursday
was located a cardboard with a message signed by members of 'The Barredora Mr. Balin'.

Through the 911 emergency number, residents of Region 102 reported a card with threats to supposed cases protected by a character identified as 'El Skini'.

Municipal police arrived at the Bachilleres educational establishment located in Region 102, between 137th Street and 139th Street, where witnesses pointed to the policemen where the cardboard was that had the following text:

THIS GOES FOR EVERYONE, DOGS THAT FEEL PROTECTED BY THE FUCK OF THE SKINI YOUR MARRANO BUDDHA AND YOUR CZECH YOU HAVE IT WELL LOCATED GO TO MAMAR

ATT: LA MERA VERGA SR. BALIN

The cardboard was downloaded and made available to the competent authority.

Re: NARCOMESSAGE IN THE 102 REGION OF CANCUN

Thieves steal more than 2,000 liters of fuel across from state attorney office

Thieves steal more than 2,000 liters of fuel across from state attorney office
BY RIVIERA MAYA NEWS ON FEBRUARY 27, 2018
Cancun, Q.R. — More than 2,000 liters of fuel was siphoned from a supermarket gas station reserve located across the street from the State Attorney General’s Office in Cancun.

The brazen thieves, thought to be two men, stole more than 2,000 liters of diesel with the help of a pipe. They helped themselves to the fuel at around 8:00 a.m. by connecting a hose to the diesel reserve of the Chedraui supermarket on Xcaret Avenue.

The theft occurred in front of the State Attorney General’s Office and the Municipal Public Security Secretariat in Cancun. When the thieves filled their tank and left the site, a value was left open, allowing diesel to quickly spill on the ground.

Members of the Cancun fire department arrived along with Civil Protection to begin the fuel clean up using sand to absorb what had spilled. While officials were cleaning, Xcaret Avenue was closed.

Gunmen in Mexico Kill Drug Suspect at Hospital in Cancun

MEXICO CITY — State police say four gunmen have burst into a hospital in the Mexican resort of Cancun and shot to death a drug gang suspect and his female companion.

The suspect was identified by local media as Alfonso Contreras Espinoza. Police in the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo identified the victim only by his initials, which coincided with the name published in local media.

Contreras Espinoza purportedly headed Cancun operations for the Gulf drug cartel. The hyper-violent Jalisco cartel has been moving into the resort.

The victim was being held at local prison on weapons charges and had been allowed out under guard for treatment at a hospital for leg problems.

State police said Monday the attack "was a possible settling of accounts between drug gangs."

Re: Gunmen in Mexico Kill Drug Suspect at Hospital in Cancun

Four armed men broke into a hospital in the resort city of Cancun and shot dead a suspected narco operator and a woman who accompanied him, Mexican authorities said Monday.

The local press identified the suspect as Alfonso Contreras Espinoza . The police of the state of Quintana Roo identified the victim only by their initials, which coincided with the name published in Mexican media.
Contreras Espinoza was supposedly in charge of the Cancun operations of the Gulf cartel. The violent Jalisco cartel has entered this area.

The victim was detained in a local prison accused of possession of weapons and was allowed to go into custody to receive treatment in a hospital for leg problems.

State police said Monday that the attack "was a possible settling of accounts between drug gangs."
The victim was in a local prison detained on weapons charges but was taken to a hospital to be treated for leg problems.

State police said the attack was "a possible adjustment of accounts of members of organized crime to be related to a criminal group."
source.-

Re: Gunmen in Mexico Kill Drug Suspect at Hospital in Cancun

Re: Gunmen in Mexico Kill Drug Suspect at Hospital in Cancun

His July arrest:

Intelligence reports indicate that Alfonso Enrique Contreras was acting as operations coordinator in the Benito Juárez municipality, where they carried out the sale and distribution of drugs, in addition to the collection of floor in establishments.